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PZ I think it's fine to just leave them if you like unless they get sore and very lumpy or hot and red or something. Then express and try and massage the lumps out. But you can express for comfort if you want to. When I asked the same question barb told me that in these early days your BM production is dictated by hormones not supply and demand yet so if you pump it won't increase your supply :) HTH xx
Yeah I tend to agree, just do what you need to do to stay comfortable, and if that means expressing a little after each feed then it should be ok. On the plus side it's also great to have a stock of EBM put away in the freezer in case you need it down the track.:
So glad to hear the nipple shields are working well for you and Isla. A tip my LC gave me was to hand express a few drops around the edges of the shield to help them stick to your skin, it made life so much easier. I used the shields full time until about 8 weeks when I decided to have another shot at getting DS to attach direct to the breast. I would try after he had had a feed from the first side and wasn't really hungry and easily frustrated. After 3 or 4 goes we got the hang of it. From there we started out doing just one feed on each side directly from the nipple each day and gradually did more and more until about 12 weeks when we were able to drop the shields altogether. For me they made the difference between being able to BF and not, and we went on to feed until 22 months. So I guess what I am trying to say is don't get disheartened, it's wonderful that the two of you are able to establish the breastfeeding relationship and over time you might be able to wean from the shields, but if not that's ok too, I know plenty of women who have gone on to feed with shields for a very long time. HTH
or (depending on where you are) you can express and donate it.